Burning warning on sunscreen products

With the scorching sun threatening to burn us to a crisp, we’re reminded never to leave the house without putting on sunblock or sunscreen. Lots of it! And of course, if you’re going to the beach, you should stay protected — that is, from the ultraviolet rays UVA, UVB, and ever heard of the UVC rays? In summer, even just a brief exposure to UVC radiation can cause a light sunburn. UVA is the bad guy because it penetrates the skin more deeply and remains constant all hours of the day all through the year.

So stop wondering why even on a cloudy day, you can get sunburned. UVB is the good guy because it helps the skin produce vitamin D (boning up on it, a deficiency of this vitamin causes osteoporosis). But of course, we don’t want the sun to catch us without sunscreen because for a lot of us women, wrinkling or premature aging is a fate worse than death.

How sunscreen products

actually promote cancer

So, what could be a hotter topic this summer (aside from the May 10 elections) than sunscreens? But before you slather on gobs and gobs of sunscreen, listen to this burning warning from a consumer advocacy group to all parents: You may think you’re protecting your family with sunscreen, but the truth is, you may be getting burned. And reports from the Organic Consumers Association (June 29, 2008) and CNN Health (July 1, 2008) tell us more about this burning controversy.

Experts warn: “Slathering a carcinogenic agent onto your skin may in fact be worse for your health than ingesting it, as it goes straight into your blood stream. By following experts’ recommendations to apply generous amounts of sunscreen every few hours to prevent skin cancer, you are likely absorbing a fair amount.”

The Best Sunscreen Products

According to the Environmental Working Group, a Washington-based nonprofit organization, four out of five name-brand sunscreens don’t adequately protect consumers and may even contain harmful chemicals. Note that sunscreens are regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as OTC (over-the-counter) drugs, not as cosmetics. Their active ingredients block, reflect or absorb the UV rays.

Sunscreen products are rated according to their SPF (sun protection factor) — the higher the SPF, the better protection you get against sunburn. But the Environmental Working Group warns consumers that the SPF rating of a sunscreen is not the only thing consumers need to know. What they should know is that many sunscreens don’t offer enough protection and may even contain unsafe ingredients.

All Terrain natural sunscreen products giveaway

Now, how do you protect yourself from overexposure to the sun safely?

Here’s health activist Dr. Joseph Mercola’s natural remedy: “Two non-toxic ingredients that scatter both UVB and the more damaging UVA rays are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. They’ve been used all over the world for over 75 years as safe sunscreens…”

He adds this hot tip: “I believe it’s imperative to do your homework and only use a natural sunscreen with safe, non-toxic ingredients, so as not to add to your toxic load.” To know what dangers may be lurking in your harmless looking sunscreen bottle, take time to visit the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website this summer before you step out into the sun for some fun.